New compound NL-608 (a nutlin analog) induces apoptosis in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of NL-608 (a nutlin analog) on apoptosis induction in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro, and investigate the relevant molecular mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effect of NL-608 on proliferation of MCF-7 cells was determined by MTT assay. The apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was determined by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC and PI. The activity of caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9 was determined with caspase activity assay kit and Western blot, and the proteins of Fas and FasL were determined by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NL-608 showed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of MCF-7 cells. It induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of caspase 3 and caspase 8 in MCF-7 cells was increased with the increasing concentration of NL-608, but caspase 9 had no changes. The proteins of Fas and FasL were increased in a dose-dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NL-608 induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in vitro through inducing caspase 3 activity and death receptor-mediated signal pathway.</p>

Inhibitory effects of saponins from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge on the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of saponins from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (SAaB) (Botanical Name: Anemarrhena Asphodeloidis Rhizoma) on the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cell proliferation was measured by a newly developed cell proliferation reagent, WST-1. Cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry through detecting annexin V. Nitric oxide production was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy with diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2, DA). Cell aldose reductase (AR) activity, as well as the effect of Epalrestat and interleukin-1beta were also explored.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>WST assay showed that cell proliferation induced by serum was significantly inhibited by SAaB (P<0.01). Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SAaB could enhance apoptotic rate of VSMCs (P<0.01). Nitric oxide production was significantly enhanced after administration of SAaB and interleukin-1beta. Moreover, AR activity of VSMCs was also remarkably inhibited by both SAaB and Epalrestat (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SAaB can inhibit proliferation and enhance apoptosis of VSMCs. It may protect vascular cells by inhibiting VSMC proliferation and augmenting apoptotic rate of VSMCs via NO-dependent pathway.</p>